Halima Rahakbauw, a 54-year-old grandmother from Maluku, Indonesia, suffered a terrifying death after a crocodile attacked her while she was washing dishes in the Wali River. The incident happened in the morning while she was tidying up after cooking a meal, a routine task that sadly became her last.
Halima, who lived in a nearby village, had gone to the river early in the morning to gather shellfish and clean dishes, as reported by her family members. Jamia Seknun, a family member, stated that Halima left home early out of concern that the river level might rise by mid-day.
Around 10:30 a.m., Ali Rahangmetan, a man passing by, observed a disturbance in the water while crossing the Wali Bridge. At first, he thought he saw someone swimming but soon realized the situation was far graver. Ali recounted the chilling moment, saying, “I saw someone swimming, but I couldn’t see their body. Only their legs were visible. To make sure, I went out of my car and finally saw that it was a human being eaten by a crocodile. I couldn’t tell if it was a man or a woman. Only the legs and intestines of the person were visible.”
Ali swiftly alerted the local authorities who promptly initiated a search for Halima. Her family had already reported her missing when she failed to return home after visiting the river. The police undertook a thorough search of the riverbanks in a desperate attempt to locate her. The quest resulted in the capture of the female crocodile that had attacked her. The reptile, measuring around 14 feet long, was found still consuming Halima’s body.
The crocodile was shot and killed by the authorities, and with the assistance of local villagers, Halima’s remains were retrieved from the predator’s stomach. One villager reported seeing “a leg hanging out of its mouth” when the crocodile was captured.
Indonesia is home to a variety of crocodile species, including the saltwater crocodile known for its aggressive nature. The crocodile population in the country has been moving closer to human settlements in recent years, a trend attributed to overfishing and habitat loss. The scarcity of natural prey has led these dangerous reptiles to venture further inland in search of food, often resulting in deadly human encounters.
This unfortunate event is not unique in Indonesia. Earlier this month, Dave Hogbin, a 40-year-old Australian man was killed by a crocodile in Far North Queensland while fishing with his family. He was pulled underwater in front of his terrified wife and children before park rangers managed to locate and kill the crocodile. Similarly, in 2018, a group in Papua slaughtered nearly 300 crocodiles in retaliation after a local man was killed by one of the reptiles.
Despite Indonesia’s development, many locals still depend on rivers for daily activities such as bathing, fishing, and washing, which increases their likelihood of encountering crocodiles. Rural communities in the country are especially at risk, where safety precautions and knowledge about the threats posed by these predators are often lacking.
The Indonesian government has been called upon to implement more robust protection measures and raise awareness to prevent future attacks. However, as human activities continue to encroach on crocodile habitats, these incidents are likely to continue. Currently, local authorities are investigating the circumstances of Halima’s death and are collaborating with wildlife experts to better comprehend and manage the increasing threat posed by crocodiles in the region.
What was once a source of life and sustenance for the village, the Wali River has now become a site of dreadful horror. For the family of Halima Rahakbauw, this tragic event serves as a harsh reminder of the dangers lurking beneath the river’s surface, a river they have relied on for generations.